A toad and a boiled egg

  I bet the title of this helped you decide to read it. This is a simple story with no real purpose or meaning. Just a story about life, living, and loving.
  This last weekend didn't go at all according to the plans we had. Things began to change unexpectedly Friday evening. There has been snow and ice all week. School had been canceled until Thursday and it was delayed two hours the two days they did have it. I had to take my wife in to work and go pick her up afterwards. As I was going in to get her I saw my son-in-laws parents parked at the local emergency station. I went on up to get my wife and we came back to find out what was going on.
   To make a long story short the mother-in-law was sick enough to need some special attention. Nothing major, but still serious. Well we ended up with the grandchildren for the night. I wasn't planning for that, but I didn't mind it either. The night went pretty good until bedtime. That never goes well with grandchildren so even it wasn't too bad.
   In the middle of the night  or actually the wee hours of the morning a little blonde bug came squirming into our bed. The thunder snow and ice storm had apparently frightened her enough to bring her to us. We didn't mind having a little bug snuggle in between us... until that bug got warm. It seems that a queen sized bed doesn't have enough room for us and a little bug princess! It isn't very restful when you spend your time trying to stay on a bed and under the covers too!
   Thankfully the little princess slept well and was up with the sun, even if the clouds still had it hidden. After a little while we got up and went in to check on the pair. One was on the computer and one on the Ipad. Both of them were happy. I offered them pancakes, blueberry or chocolate chip, but had no takers. I later discovered that red velvet Oreo cookies make a perfect breakfast for hungry children when their grandparents are still asleep. My granddaughter decided to have lettuce for breakfast too. She had that and a glass full of shredded cheese. Now you ask what does all of this have to do with a toad and a boiled egg? Well it has everything to do with it and nothing at all to do with it.
   My wife was so tired she gave up and went back to bed, leaving me alone to deal with the grandchildren. I was tired, but I was in a comfy recliner and they were both happy. My grandson was still playing games and my granddaughter had started sweeping up the cheese that was now scattered over the floor. She likes to clean house. Well she tired of that and started trying to get Papa to wake up and play with her. She also noticed that Granny was gone. I told her the dog ate Granny, but she looked and the dog was outside, so she wouldn't buy that. She went in and informed Granny in a loud voice that the sun was up and it was time to get up. Granny ignored that lovely little bit of information.
  So she came back and started working on Papa again. She was poking at me with the broom to get my attention. I took it away from her and started poking back at her. She could easily get too far away from me to reach her, but she was cornered too. She couldn't get past my broom, especially not when her brother stuck his feet out behind the chair to block her path past him as he continued to play. I finally let her get past me and get the broom back. Then I grabbed it and we fought over it for a good while. Finally she stepped up close to me and with a determined look and a commanding tone of voice she raised one hand and pointed one finger at me with a magical wave and announced that she had turned me into a toad! I didn't even get to be a frog, so a kiss could save me. I was a toad!
   She yanked the broom away from the toad and mounted it to fly away. The toad asked her if she was flying in reverse since the broom was pointed the wrong way. She quickly corrected her broom and flew around the room for a moment. As she flew back into the living room she stopped for a moment and I saw an evil twinkle appear in her eyes. She had spotted her other antagonist still seated playing games on my computer. She quickly lowered her broom and with deadly precision flew it right into his exposed rear! The toad could only watch and laugh! luckily my daughter finally arrived to rescue us. I thought everything was safe and secure in my home once more. We laughed a lot about the toad that night.
   But you ask what about the boiled egg? Well the story goes on. Sunday morning I got up still exhausted and feeling much like a toad. I went into the kitchen and started to make my breakfast. I was making an omelet with sausage, onions, and shredded cheese. I started the sausage and onions cooking and then I tried to add the critical part to any omelet the eggs. I wasn't awake or functioning well yet. After three attempts, each more determined than the last, I discovered that you can't crack or scramble a boiled egg!
  Now while I would never attempt to scramble a boiled egg under normal circumstances, this morning was anything but normal. I mean seriously how many toads do you know that want an omelet for breakfast? Once I discovered the first boiled egg I wasn't so easily fooled by the second one in my box of fresh eggs. I did find two normal fresh eggs and I had my omelet. I was still rather rattled though. I did manage to figure out that a certain little witch had probably seen the boiled eggs I had sitting in the frig ready to use in a salad and decided to put them back in the egg box. Eggs do belong in the egg box after all! Especially when you are a little blonde witch who is OCD and a cleaning nut too!
  And now you have heard the tale of a toad and a boiled egg. This toad advises you to avoid trying to have scrambled eggs for a meal too soon after a witch has turned you into a toad. Have a cup of coffee first and make sure you  are ready to hop out and face the world before you end up with egg on your face. Rib-it, Rib-it says the toad!

Faith and prayers

These last few months I haven't been doing enough. I have been struggling to just get up and start the new day in the mornings. That has to change if I want to change my life. I need to lose weight and to change my attitude. I know that I can do the diets, I have done it before and I did feel better. My attitude is a little tougher to deal with. I just let myself become very discouraged because of other things in my life that I couldn't change or control. I am going to be praying and working to remind myself that I am not responsible for anything or anyone beyond my own control. All I can do is live my life the best way I can and live it to please God. Beyond that I can do little to change the world around me.

   It is very easy to let the world around you affect the person inside you. That always happens, but it isn't too bad, if you remember that God is the only one that matters in the end. If we please God then the world doesn't matter and if we don't please God the world won't matter in the end. I seem to forget that too often for my own good. I am still struggling to find the words to pray, but I am trying to make myself open my heart up and pray from it to the Lord. There are so many things in the world that bother me and so many things in my own life that trouble me even more. I don't know where to start or what to say. I feel like I am whining when I should be doing, but I don't know what or how to do what needs to be done. I don't even know what to ask for; much less what to do!

   I just know that the Lord is trying to reach me. He has the answers I need even if I don't know the questions yet. I am trying very hard to listen and truly understand, but that isn't easy to do when you feel lost and alone. I know I am not alone and never truly will be, but it sure feels lonely around here sometimes. Prayer is the first step and the first answer for me. I know that I must pray and from the heart before I can take another step or find more answers. I just don't know how to pray for something I don't even understand. I guess that is where I have to depend on the other answer I have for all of my questions... faith. Faith that God has the answers waiting for me when I am ready to hear them.

Thoughts and prayers for the day

  I started a new week today. I am still struggling to find my focus and hold onto it. I want to blame the weather, my health, and the world in general for my problems with finding my focus. The truth is that I am still the root of the problem. I simply don't want to put the effort into my life that I must have if I am to get beyond this. I know what I need to do. I just don't want to do it. I want something easy instead. What I need to do is simple, but it isn't easy. I think I gain ground and then I slip back. It is hard to stay focused and keep moving forward when you feel like you are constantly losing ground.

  I know in my heart that until I fully yield to the Lord in all aspects of my life I can't gain any ground. I have struggled all of my life with that issue. It isn't that I don't believe, I just don't have that absolute kind of faith that I should have. It is easy to say you believe, but it is very hard to actually find the faith. It shouldn't be that hard. I know in my heart that there is an unlimited supply available for me to use, but I am afraid of using it. As I am writing this I know that I must let go of that fear. I must face my fears of this world and conquer them; to do that I must overcome my own doubts. I must truly have faith that I can do what I need to do and faith that I will know what I need to do.

   I am very grateful that the Lord is so kind and loving. I am truly amazed that He will work so long and so hard to help me when I am too lazy and frightened to do even the smallest of things. I am given opportunities to serve Him every day. I am shown how good that service makes me feel and yet I still resist, because of my fear of failing. I fail, because I fear failing. There was a time when I didn't have that issue as bad, or maybe I just wouldn't face it. Now I know what my problem is, I just don't want to deal with it. I can deal with my fears, but not alone. I must have the Lord to help me and that is the problem.

   I know I need to pray more and open my heart more, but that is very hard for me to do. Prayer is the most important thing in our life and it is the weakest part of mine. I make lots of excuses for that weakness, but there is no excuse for it. The Lord loves me in spite of my weakness and fear. The Lord wants me to kneel before Him in sincere prayer, but I fear that. I fear it for many reasons. It is hard to pray when you are afraid. Monday was a long day for me. I struggled against doing what I needed to do all day. I am writing this a day late, as I usually do. I plan to make a stronger effort to do what I need to do today instead of fighting against it.

   I am going to try and open my heart up and pray to the Lord. There are many people who need my prayers, including me. I often feel guilty about praying for myself, but I need the Lord's help and the only way I can receive that help is to ask Him for it. Today I will ask. I don't think this will be a productive day as far as the world sees it, but I am hopeful that it will be a great day for my spirit. The Lord has opened my ears this morning and I have shared what I have heard. Now I just have to find that seed of faith He has given me and pray for rain to make it grow again. It has been a long dry spell for my spirit and it is time for me to pray for rain. I want to spend today walking in faith while the Lord rains down His spirit upon me. I want to be washed clean again and begin growing my faith again. Please Lord wash me clean and help me grow. In your Holy name I pray.

Hope you enjoyed teh book

  That was the end of the second book in this series of books. I am still uncertain if I will post the next book online or not. I am working at sevral things and haven't been writing much lately. I hope some of you have enjoyed the books. I will be posting a few things along until I decide what to do next. Thanks again for you time and interest.

Epilogue

           Epilogue

   James Andrew Cooper had stepped forward and accepted the job of bringing his nation back from the edge of destruction. He had spent all of his adult life serving and defending his nation as an officer in the United States Air Force. He had distinguished himself during that career and proven himself to be a man of honor. He had faced many difficult missions and made many difficult decisions during that time. He had often been forced to give up time with his family in order to answer the call of his duty. Many times he had doubts and even fears about what the future might hold in store for him, but despite those doubts and fears he had always stepped forward to faithfully do his duty with both honor and courage. During the last few years James had sometimes questioned his own abilities and even the path he was following. But James had never questioned the abilities of his God or any path once he was certain God had put it before him.

   James faith in the one and only true God has recently carried him through some of the most violent and difficult times his nation and the world have ever seen. It has taken him to the end of the path he has been following for so long. His faith has sustained him and guided him along that path as he has followed the Lord along it. His faith was the foundation upon which he stood throughout all the difficult times and difficult decisions he has faced in his life. It was his faith that enabled him to do what many said he couldn't do. Many people saw one man doing what others couldn't do, but they didn't understand that James was never actually working alone. God was always there with him; working through James to reach out to a world in need of God. Many had failed to see or accept that it was one man working for the good of all, but only his faith in the one true God had made everything that one man had done possible. His faith in God and God's own faithfulness to His Word had been what made the difference.

    Now James has come to the end of his journey as an Air Force officer. He can no longer continue to serve his nation as an Air Force officer; not unless he is willing to abandon his faith and the people of his nation along with it. Unwilling to abandon the people of his nation or the faith that has sustained him all the way from his humble beginnings to his current position of power; James has made the choice to leave his career behind. James has given up his own power and put his trust in the power of God alone. This part of the journey has come to an end for James, but his journey isn't over yet. Others have now challenged James to step forward to serve his nation in another way; to walk a new path. Once more James is faced with a decision that will alter his future life and may alter the future of his nation along the way. Once more he must look to God for guidance and wisdom about what path he should take and who he will serve by taking that path.

    His nation is still in trouble and needs someone to lead it back onto a path that won't end in destruction. Many of the current leaders want to once again start the nation down the same path that brought it to the crisis it has just faced. James knows that is the wrong path, but without a new leader to change the course of things; James knows it will be the path that is taken. Many people have seen James as he was leading them out of the chaos that had consumed the nation. They are the ones who have challenged him to step forward and become the new leader; a leader who will take his nation down a different path; a leader to take them down a path that leads out of the chaos of broken promises of government and back to the certain promises of God. Those promises from God were the very foundations upon which this nation was originally built and to which it must return.

    James knows in his heart that only a path that leads back towards God can save his nation from the disasters that men have made. This has been a long and difficult journey for James; and a long and painful fall for his nation to reach this time and place. Now James has made one decision about his own faith and own personal future. But that decision has brought him face to face with another, much greater decision, one that he must soon make. James could simply step back to wait and watch what happens or he could once more step forward to make something happen. He has been called by many good people to step forward and become the leader his nation so desperately needs, but should he do that? Is that the path God wants James to follow now? Has God brought James all this way only to have him step aside or had God been working to put James in this place to become a new leader for his nation in this time of trouble? Was God now calling James to be the leader who would turn his people back to God? A leader who would try to rebuild his nation upon a foundation of faith in God? 

   James had many questions and many doubts, but somehow he wasn't afraid. He knew that he was just a man. However he also knew that there truly was one God, the God he served. Men had forgotten that over the years of plenty in their lives. They had begun serving false gods, gods of their own making, but now James knew that only the one true God could help them. The people were looking for someone; some man to save them. But James knew that no man, no matter how great a leader he was, could do that, not alone. Only with the help of the loving and saving grace of God could any man hope to save this nation. The people of his nation were ready to follow any man who could give them hope for a better future, but would the people of this nation follow that man if he tried to lead them and the nation back to God? Would they follow a leader down a long and difficult path leading back to God and a new secure future? Or would they take the short and easy path leading away from God and back towards their lost dreams of fortune and fame?

   James had asked God all of those questions over and over again. Could James be the leader the nation needed? Did God truly want James to be the leader of this nation? If James became that leader would the people follow him and more importantly would they follow God? Unless they truly began to follow God and not just a man, even a man who followed God, it would mean little in the end. James was just one man and the people needed more than that. The people needed one God. The people needed the one true God! Only God knew the answers to all of the questions men had.

    James knew that only when God was ready and the time was right would those answers be revealed to men. Until then James would just have to hold firmly onto his faith and wait... but would the people of his nation wait with him? Would they wait for God?

Monday on the farm

  

   This is an entry from my daily journal. I am posting it a couple of days late, but I have been too busy to find the time to do it until this morning. I hope this will remind others to be grateful for all of their daily blessings... even when the day seems to be going bad you can still find some reason to thank the LORD. 

   GOD never promised us life would always be easy; GOD only promised us HE would never leave us. If we take the time and look for HIM our days will be brighter and our life will be more joyful... even when life is going wrong GOD can brighten your day if you will allow it to happen by looking for HIM!

January 19, 2015

   Well I haven't been writing in my daily journal for a few days. I just couldn't find any reason or desire to write. The end of the week was just about as productive as the start of the week had been for me, so I just had nothing worth writing. I did enjoy a nice weekend though. The weather has finally warmed up, but the clouds hung around a lot longer than I wanted them. Today was absolutely perfect. It was about 70 degrees with no wind and it was sunny too. I had made plans for a big day to start my week, but it wasn't looking good when I got up. It was cloudy and I was very down about that. I needed to see some sunshine. The sun finally did come out and my day improved drastically.

  My plan for Monday was to work the cattle and I did that after the sun came out. The cows all came in and only one refused to go into the lot. Brindle can be a bit stubborn about that and she was in that mood today. That was fine for me though. I didn't need to work her today, so I was satisfied with what I got up. The cows actually worked very well. I messed up on a few of the ear tags. I got them tagged, but I think I missed the numbers a few times. The cattle were all very calm and easy to handle. I know some of them more by the way they act than the way they look and they all acted the same today! Once I got all of the cows worked and the calves I wanted to wean sorted out I loaded them up and moved them. They loaded up easy too.

   I dropped them off and got ready to load the big heifers and the bull I needed to move. That was when things started to get interesting. These are all among my youngest cattle and they haven't been loaded or worked very much. It started off fine. They all went into the trailer, but the bull stopped near the front and they didn't have room to get all of them in. I finally let them all out and tried again. This time the bull refused to let any of them in the trailer at all! I always move the bulls alone and he didn't want any company! I just gave up and just hauled him down to put in the lot until I got back with the heifers. I went back and tried to load the heifers. That was when everything fell apart. The heifers balked about loading and there were too many for me to be able to reach the gate and start closing it and force them in.  I finally got them started and was trying to get the gate swung around when one of them went nuts and started bucking and kicking at the gate. She knocked it out of my hands and it hit me in the face. My nose was pouring blood and my eyes were watering, but I got three in the trailer. I shut them in the front and tried to load the last three. After several tries one of the heifers earned a ride to the sale in the morning. She was fighting at me and acting completely crazy, so I just left her there. I put the last two in the back of the trailer and went on down with them. Once I had them at the other place I ran them all in the chute and worked them along with the bull. They weren't happy about it, but they were fairly calm and it wasn't too bad. When I was done with them I put out hay and called it a day. I will take the other heifer  to the sale in the morning. Sis was with me when I got hit and thinks my nose is broke. I don't think it is, but I will have a black eye.

  In spite of all of that I had a very good day. I will be a bit stiff and sore in the morning. A calf kicked my right arm and hand. My nose and eye will look bad tomorrow, but I am happy. I got all the cattle worked and sorted out. Even more important; I am still smiling and happy. I didn't ever completely lose my temper either. Oh I got mad when I got hurt, but I never lost my temper. It was mostly my fault anyway. Keeping control of my temper is a good thing for me. The Lord answered my prayers for help and strength today. This could have been a terrible day, but thanks to my Lord it was a great day. I may get up stiff and sore, but I intend to get up with a smile and praise my Lord. Thanks for the great day Lord, see you again in the morning! 

Chapter Eight - part eleven

    James spent his time well. The press conference would be held at noon. The word was out about a conflict within the command structure of the operations and the press had been asking lots of questions. This would be the first time they had been able to speak directly with James since that rumor had started. James went directly to his command center in D.C. to speak to the people there. Once he had things settled with them; he quietly turned over command to General Hodges. That was to be effective immediately at the conclusion of the press conference. The press conference was the next issue he had to deal with. They had somehow gotten word about the meeting with the President this morning and they wanted to know what was going on. The normal room for it was already overflowing. James thought for only a short time before he made a decision to move it outside. He would hold it in the area open to the public near the 9/11 memorial to reduce the problem with clearances for everyone that suddenly wanted to be there. Everything he said would be broadcast live on national news, so there was no point in dealing with those problems or to limit access. The world would know everything within minutes anyway.

   That decision had only served to fire up the interest from the press. That wasn't a bad thing in James opinion. He wanted to do this up front and in the open for all to see and hear. If the press thought he was trying to hide anything he would never be free of them. It was going to be bad enough for the next few days without making it worse by trying to keep it quiet. The time rolled around and James walked out to give his normal briefing. When the press tried to ask questions he silenced them quickly. He informed them that regardless of what they might have heard he would first give them his full report as usual; then and only then would they be allowed to ask questions. He also gave them his word that he would answer any and all pertinent questions at that time. The press fell silent and listened as James began his report. By the time James had finished there was a considerable crowd of onlookers in addition to the press. Many were Pentagon personnel who had heard the rumors too, but some were just people who happened to be in the area. James looked out across the still growing crowd and taking a deep breath prepared to face them after he broke the news of his resignation to them.

   "Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes the normal portion of my monthly briefing on the status of operations to restore control and order in the United States. Now I know that you are not all here just because I give such exciting briefings." That brought a lot of smiles and chuckles. James was smiling as he continued. "I am well aware of the rumors that have been flying. Being a fighter pilot, I will now do my best to shoot all of the false rumors down and leave you with only the truth." That brought even more laughter and smiles. "Please hold any questions or comments until I have done that and then I will, as promised, answer all reasonable questions that I have answers for." James stopped and looked around the crowd before he continued.

    "There have been major disagreements and debates about the command of this operation, or more to the point; debates about the goals of this command and whether or not those goals have been reached yet. I won't now or later go into the details of those debates, so don't ask me to. The simple truth is that I alone have reached a decision about my own personal goals. This is my decision and I alone take full responsibility for it. This morning I informed the President that I can no longer continue to serve as commander of these operations." The press had stopped smiling and were all concentrating on him and what he was saying now. "I tendered my resignation at that time and he agreed to accept it on the conditions that I select my successor and inform you of my decision. I have now met both of those reasonable conditions. I have already transferred command to General Hodges to be effective immediately at the end of this press conference. Before any of you ask. The reason for my decision is very personal and very simple. I will share some of it with all of you though. I took an oath to serve when I became an officer. I feel that I can no longer continue to serve my duties as an officer under that oath while also serving my duty to God. I have made the decision to serve my God first and so I have resigned my commission. I ask you to show respect for both my faith and my decision. Now I will answer your questions."

   James had expected an explosion of activity and questions, but what he got was stunned silence. The press people seemed to be shocked by his announcement. They were all looking at him or looking around as if they didn't know what they should do. Before any of them could say anything a woman from the crowd raised her hand and called out. James acknowledged her and waited for her to speak. All eyes were on her as she stepped forward. As she did James began to smile. He knew her. It was Candy. She smiled and spoke once she was close enough that she wouldn't have to shout. "Hello James, it has been a long time since I last saw you. You haven't really changed at all though. You are still the Ironman I wrote about. Nothing shakes you. But you shake the world. My question is simple. What will you do now?" James laughed and shrugged as he answered her. "I don't know! That is up to God."

    After that a lot of questions started to be asked. The press weren't alone in asking them though. People from the crowd spoke up too. Most of their questions were about what was going to happen to them now under a new command. James explained that nothing should really change. It was his hope that the people would continue to work together towards rebuilding their nation. He remained positive that they could do that. He told them that he was just a man and they didn't really need him. That one statement disrupted everything in an instant. Actually it was the response of one woman to the statement that changed things. James had no idea who she was or why she was there. All he knew was that she started to change everything for him with her words. She spoke out from back in the crowd, but the crowd opened up around her as she spoke.

    She was almost screaming when she began. "I don't believe that! You are more than that! You have given me hope! You have given me something to believe in! The government didn't do that! You did that! Candy was right! You are my Ironman!. You gave us strength and you carried us out of the chaos! You did that! Not the government or the military...you! You can't just quit! Not now! We still need you!" She lowered her voice as she continued. "You know what is wrong and you know what we need to do to fix it. You have brought us so far already. Please don't abandon us now. I need to know that someone is leading us that I can trust. I need to know that you are still there for us. Please don't just walk away from your duty to us. I know you have a duty to God, but doesn't that mean you have a duty to us too? Aren't we all God's children? How can you walk away from us when we need you the most?"

  Tears were filling James eyes as she spoke. When she was done she had barely been whispering, not everyone could still hear her words, but James could. He was standing directly in front of her when she was done. He gently placed his hands on her shoulders and spoke softly to her as tears streamed down her face. "I haven't abandoned you. I will do all that I can to continue helping everyone that is in need of help. But you must understand that I can't do anything that will matter if I don't first serve God. You are still looking for a man to lead you; a man who can save you. I am not that man, no man is. Only God can truly save you! I promise you that God hasn't abandoned you either. God is right here, right now! God is ready to lift you and carry you to safety, but you must look to God not to a man. I follow God. That is why I must walk a new and different path now. Please believe me. You and the people of this nation don't need me... you need God!"

    The woman had listened and cried until he was finished. Then she had wrapped her arms around him in a warm hug for a moment, before letting go and simply walking away with two small children at her side. James and everyone else watched her walking away. Then James looked around a moment before he spoke again. "I think we are done here. I don't know what I am going to do, but I do know I won't just walk away from my duty to all of you. I couldn't do that and remain faithful to God.  I ask you all to let me go my way in peace for now. Trust in God and it will all work out for the best. You still have great people to guide you. You don't need me." James slowly began to walk back towards the Pentagon. The crowd and the press silently parted for him as he walked. There were still tears in his eyes, but there were tears in many eyes now. There were people with tears streaming down their cheeks as they silently watched the man who had done so much for his nation walking away with tears streaming down his cheeks. It was the silence, not the tears that shocked James though. It was the complete and total silence that had enveloped the entire scene. Nobody spoke, he wasn't even sure they were breathing. They just moved apart and let him pass silently by. They looked lost and alone. James felt like he was abandoning them, but he still walked towards the door. James walked towards the door, because he knew it was the right choice for him; it was God's choice for him.

   James had thought it was over, but he was wrong. A voice he knew well spoke out loud and clear from across the crowd. He turned to see Sabella standing at the podium he had left only moments before. She repeated her statement again as he looked at her. "I said, we don't need great people to guide us... we need you!" She just looked at him for a long minute before she spoke further. "I have known you since you began the journey that brought you here; to this place and this very moment. I have seen you do things that to this day I find hard to believe. You are absolutely right. We do have great people trying to help us. But we need more than that. You said that yourself. I know that you will say that what we need is God not you." Now she turned red and hesitated before she went on. "You know that I didn't want to believe in God. I still don't want to, but I do believe. I believe enough to be willing to start looking to God for answers. You brought me to this place, but not just to follow you! You have shown me that there must be a God. God must walk with you, because I know that you couldn't have done all you have done without the help of God." Her tone of voice became almost pleading. "James, I know that you are just a man. I also know that what we need is God and not a man. But I know that what we have right now. We have you!" James shook his head slowly as he walked back to the podium. Sabella waited with tears in her eyes for him to get there. Once he was there he shook his head again and spoke softly. "Do you know what you are asking? Do you know what you may have done?"

    Sabella smiled as she went on again. "I do know! James we do need you! We need you to show us the way back. We need you to show us how to find and follow God again. That woman was right! You can't just walk away, not now! God has put you here! You have to follow God, but you have to lead us back to God with you. Any great man could lead us right now, but only a man of great faith can lead us where we need to go. You have that great faith! James, you are that man! I am begging you! Become the leader this nation must have! You have restored order and control. You have restored water and power systems. Now restore our faith along with our future!" James just stood there looking at her. He had forgotten everyone and everything except for her and her words.

   After a moment he closed his eyes and slowly knelt down in front of everyone. Then he began to pray. "Oh Father in heaven, what am I going to do? I thought I had this all worked out. I thought I had it taken care of. Now I have no idea of what I should do. Forgive me for my pride and boldness; for thinking that I knew what to do. I am not worthy to be here. I am not worthy to do what this woman asks of me. I can't do that. Only you can restore our faith and lead us into future you have planned for us. I am just a man. I am weak and unwise. I don't know what I can do or should do. Father I ask you to guide and direct me in the days ahead. I ask you to bless those who have done so much to help me. I ask you to bless the people of this nation. We have all suffered much, but I know that you have a plan for all of us. Show us that plan Father. Show us the way we should go. I am lost just as the people lost, but we are not alone. Show us the way Father. Help us find our way back to you. In the name of my Lord, Jesus I ask these things." James heard a low but definite 'Amen' from the crowd around him.

    James slowly got to his feet and tried to smile at the people. Then he simply turned and walked back into the Pentagon. The press and crowd were silent once more. James doubted that any of them were ready to talk right now. They all had too much to think about. Just seeing a man kneel and pray was enough to shake many of them. The man who had been in command of the much of the military doing that and in front of the Pentagon had to have shaken them as much or more than James had been shaken by what had just happened to him. He had no idea yet of what God wanted him to do or even of what he wanted to do himself. James only knew that he was done here. It was time for him to go home. It was time for him to pray and to wait. When God was ready; James would know the way he should go. He would see the sun rising and the darkness fleeing. He would see the path God was preparing for him now. Until then he would wait. He would wait and he would pray.

Chapter Eight - part ten

    When James reported back to D.C. the President was still out for the holiday. It was the first day of December before he returned. The first thing he did upon his return was to summons James to the Oval office. James was ready. When he arrived the President greeted him with coolness. James wasn't too shocked to see the Chief of Staff sitting on one side of the room. The President wasted no time once the greetings were over and they were both seated. He asked the question that James knew he would be asked. "Well, I see no point in small talk. We all know why you are here. So I will just ask. Have you come to terms with my decision not to lift martial law? Can you continue to command this operation and let it go until I decide it is time to lift it?"

   James never hesitated. "Sir, I cannot. I have thought and prayed about it constantly since we last spoke. I know in my heart I cannot continue this duty for you. Sir, when we last spoke you asked me who I served. I took an oath to support and defend the Constitution. That oath puts me under your command. I serve my duty and my nation at your command and your pleasure, Sir." Now James hesitated a brief moment before he continued. "Sir, I ended my oath with the words 'So help me God.' I want you to know that I meant those words. It has been with God's help that I have served this duty. I want to continue to serve and protect my nation, but I cannot do that as you have commanded me to and also serve my God. Sir, while I have served my duty to the oath I swore; I have a greater duty that I must serve first. That is my duty to God. You ask who I serve. I serve God." James stood up and taking a deep breath he continued in a firmer tone of voice. "I can no longer fulfill my duty to you as my Commander and Chief and to my God at the same time. Unless you are prepared to lift martial law in the near future I feel that I would also be failing in my oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States as well. Respectfully Sir, I ask that you accept my resignation at this time as an officer in the United States Air Force." James remained standing at attention. He knew that this would likely be the end of his career, but that didn't matter. What mattered was who he had chosen to serve first in his life. James would serve God first. The Lord Jesus had bought and paid the price for that service with his own blood. James wouldn't turn away from or forget that sacrifice. This was a small sacrifice to offer in return for the far greater one Jesus had made for all men.

   James remained standing at attention, waiting for the hammer to fall. The President hadn't seemed surprised or even upset. In fact he had remained very calm through it all. Now he sat there just looking up at James for a long time. Finally after several very long minutes he began to nod his head. When he spoke his voice was softer and less forceful than it had been at the start of this meeting. "I can't say this is a surprise to me. I too have done a lot of thinking about this since we last spoke. But I have more questions for you. What do you plan to do if I accept your resignation? What do you plan to tell the press, because they will ask you why you have resigned? I need to know, because if you say to them what you just said to me it could be a real problem not only for me, but also this nation."

    James didn't hesitate on this either. He had expected these questions and in fact had given them far more though that his actual decision. How he handled this could easily determine how things went for his nation. "Sir, I plan to simply say that I have resigned my commission and will no longer be in command of these operations. My only explanation will be that I must first serve my God and that I can no longer continue in this command and do that. I won't explain further than that and I have already spoken with my staff about it. They won't have any comment at all. I don't wish this to be a source of problems for anyone. That may not stop all the problems, but it should keep them to a minimum, Sir." James remained at attention even as he had answered those questions.

    Once more the President sat and studied James for a few moments. Finally he came to his feet and spoke. "I will accept your resignation conditionally; first that you hold the normal weekly press conference and make the announcement of it there. And second that you recommend your replacement. Unless you agree to both of those conditions I won't accept your resignation. I will instead pull you from the command and stick you in the deepest darkest office I can find until you are forgotten." James hadn't expected this to happen or either of those conditions. He had expected to be pulled from command; to be buried somewhere and forgotten, until he could resign unnoticed. He certainly hadn't expected to be asked to pick his replacement. Still it was no problem at all to do both of the things he had been asked to do.

   James answer wasn't too slow in coming. "Sir, I can do both of those things. Thank you for the opportunity to leave my command honorably. I recommend that you give this command to General Hodges. I further recommend that you reinstate him as your Joint Chief. Sir, he has been critical to the success of this operation. He knows it better than I do and the men will follow him without question. I have spoken with him and he is ready to follow your command and leave the lifting of martial law to your pleasure. I think that he can better serve you and the nation than I can at this time. Thank you again for giving me this clear path out. I hadn't expected or hoped for anything this agreeable. I had expected to be buried and forgotten. To me that seemed to be the wisest choice you could have made about this."

       The President actually smiled now as he spoke. "You are welcome. I think both I and the country owe you at least this much. You are truly an honorable and faithful man. Take care of the transfer of command and the announcement. I will expect your letter of resignation on my desk by the end of the day. You are dismissed." The President actually smiled even more as he suddenly extended his hand to James. "I wish you well on whatever path you follow now. You have done a great deal of good for a great number of people during your time of service. I hope that you can continue that as a civilian... Mr. Cooper!" James suddenly found he was smiling back at the President as he took his hand in a firm handshake and replied. "Thank you again, Sir. I am sure that I will do well as long as I follow the path my God puts before me. I wish you and this nation all the best. I will be praying for you and it." With that James turned and left the room.

   The President remained standing as he watched James leave and close the door behind him. Only then did he resume his seat. Now he spoke to the other man who had just witnessed all of this; his Chief of Staff. "Well what do you think? Did I do the right thing?" The man was still watching the door James had walked out of. He slowly lowered his head. After a moment he turned to face the President as he spoke. "I don't know. You know that I have been convinced that he was going to be real trouble over this martial law issue from the start of this. You also know that I think you need to hold the nation under martial law until you can be certain of maintaining control. But now I just don't know about any of this. Maybe he was right. Maybe it is time to lift it." Then he shook himself and his voice returned to the firm confident tone he normally used. "I do know this much. I know that he isn't done yet. You haven't seen or heard the last of that young man, no matter what happens! I am afraid that all you have done is to remove the chains that had bound him. He is now free to take any path he wants. He may now become something even greater than he has been to the people of this nation. He was a part of the system they feared and hated, but he still won their trust and their hearts. Now he really is one of them... what will they give him now?" The President made no reply. He just smiled.

Chapter Eight - part nine

   James snapped a sharp salute and did exactly as he had been ordered to do. He got out of that office as fast as he could. If he hadn't he knew he would have been dismissed at the very least. The President had finally shaken James. The threat of dismissal hadn't shaken James; the question he had asked had shaken James. It sounded like a simple question, but how James answered that one question would carry more value than anything he had done up to that moment. Who do you serve? That question was ringing in his ears. It had shaken him to the very core of his being. Who did he serve? That was a question that he thought he knew the answer to, but when the President had asked it... James had still been shaken by it. Who did he serve? He served God, but was he really? James took a long walk along the semi-deserted hallways of the Pentagon; the one above ground. It was well past dark before he reached the office he had been assigned. He found several people very anxiously waiting for him when he arrived.

    James managed a smile as he spoke to them. "At ease people, I am still your acting commander." That brought a rush of relieved sighs from a majority of the people. That in turn brought a soft chuckle and shake of his head from James. He quickly continued before anyone could ask the first of what he knew would be many questions. "For now just know that the President and I have agreed to disagree for the moment. I will meet with him again after Thanksgiving to revisit the cause of our disagreement. Until then we all have a lot of work left to do. I trust that you haven't just been standing around waiting for me to return?" That was enough to change the focus point of the conversation. It was easy to see that they all still had a lot of questions, but they now knew that James didn't want to hear them at the moment. They gave him an update on how the remainder of the meeting had gone and what they had going on around the country for the next day. Then he dismissed them for the night. Most of them left. Most but not all, Hodges and Johns were both still there. James just smiled, and motioned for them to resume their seats.

    Once they were seated again James spoke quickly to shut off any unwanted questions. "All I have to say for now is that we have a few weeks before I have to reach a decision. I will talk with you about it after I have a chance to think on it myself and after I pray about it. You already know how strongly I feel about this Pat. I hope that what you saw happen didn't make you change your mind again. This isn't about me, it can't be. No man is worth more than the freedom of this nation. I don't know what I will decide or how this will end. I just know that regardless of what happens I need you and the others to continue working to restore this nation to what it was meant to be." Turning his gaze to Samantha Johns he spoke to her next. "Sam, you became more than just my commanding officer. You became a close friend and a part of my family. You know better than anyone that I serve my nation, but I must always serve my God first. I have tried to do both, serve my nation and my God, but I may have to make a choice between the two before this is over. I think you know what my choice will be if that happens, but until it does we still have work to do. I am counting on you to do the work and leave what happens to me up to God. I asked for you because of your skill as a manager. I want you to continue to use that skill and hold your temper. Now I know that neither of you are big on faith in God, but I hope you will at least respect my faith enough to do what I ask of you. I want you to do it as my friends though, not because I am your commanding officer. Can you both do that for me? Can you continue to respect both my choices and my faith?"

   The two of them looked at each other for a moment after James was done. Then they both faced James again. It was Samantha Johns who spoke first. "James Andrew Cooper, the Ironman, now a Major General, but still a man who is too humble to know how special a man he is." Then she laughed and shook her head before she continued. "What you ask has already been discussed and agreed upon. And not just by us. James your entire command staff has agreed to honor your decisions and your faith no matter what the cost. You still don't understand just how big an impression you make on the world and especially the people around you. The first time I saw you I knew you were something special, but I had no idea just how special or what made you so special. I know now. You are who and what you are because of the faith that you carry with you wherever you go." There were tears in her eyes by the time she had finished.

    James never got a chance to respond. Pat spoke up almost immediately. His voice was softer and almost fatherly as he spoke. "I thought you were a fool the first time our paths crossed. I was firmly convinced of that before I ever laid eyes on you. But you started to change all of that the first time I did lay eyes on you. Samantha is right about you. You have a presence that can't be denied or hidden. There is something very different about you; something that can't be seen, only felt. I know now that the difference is faith. The strength of your faith is so great that it can be felt by those around you. If they get close enough it is so strong that it affects them personally. I know, because it has affected me. James you have done and are doing more for the people and the nation than you may ever realize. You haven't let your commanders or even world events change your path. You have followed your faith and your God relentlessly. You have changed the world around you while you did that. You have changed us too. James, I led the entire staff in a prayer for you while we were waiting for you to return. I have found my faith, because I have seen your faith at work. There was a time when I would have been ready to fight you. Now I would fight and die for you, but only if you asked me to do that, because I know you hate fighting and death. James we all know that you are right. The freedom of this nation is more important than any man... even you."

    James was silent. There were tears in his eyes; just as there were tears in their eyes. What could he say to them? How did you respond to words like those? They had spoken of his faith, but the faith they had just shown to him made him feel almost faithless. These two had just told him that they had seen his faith and that they were willing to follow him because of that faith. Even more importantly they had been telling him that they understood his faith and had found their own faith. James knew that if he did have to leave it would make no difference to them now. They weren't just following him. They weren't following any man now. They were following their faith and God. James bowed his head and began to pray out loud, so that all would hear. "Dear Lord, I don't have the words to tell you what is in my heart. I thank you for friends like these. They have stood with me during many hard days and I know they will continue to stand with me. I know they will, because I know that they stand with you Lord, just as I do. Thank you for bringing us together. I pray that if we must be separated you will give us each the guidance and wisdom we need to continue to follow the path you put before us. In the name of my Lord, and Savior, Jesus I pray." James heard two quiet Amen's before he looked up.

   They said little more before going their separate ways. They did both promise to talk with everyone and let them know that things were going to be alright. James had already decided that he now had two main items that he alone had to deal with. The first, of course, was deciding what he could and would do about the refusal to lift martial law. The second and just as important was to visit the numerous regional headquarters that had been set up during the operation to restore order. He had worked directly and closely with all of the people running those individual sites. He had to talk to all of them in person and make certain that regardless of what his final decision was those operations would continue smoothly on course. James had been thinking about how to handle it and hadn't been certain he needed to do anything. But after seeing all the people here and listening to his two close friends just now; James knew that he had to make preparations or risk a major mess if he was removed from command.

    James went home and discussed what he could with Sarah. They talked and prayed together about what James should do. They both agreed that this was another crossroads on the path James had been following. They both felt that when the time came the Lord would show James the right path to take. The question in both their minds was how to handle the situation until that time arrived. James made his decision the next morning. He would continue his work and also make preparations for his possible departure. He would try to be prepared for both staying and going. He would also do a lot more praying and waiting. This was one of those times when James knew that his decision wasn't really any decision at all. He knew who he would serve. James Andrew Cooper would serve God! The only real question was how God wanted him to serve. James didn't have the answer to that question yet.

    The days passed much more normally than James had thought they might. He made it around to all of the regional headquarters. They had managed to keep things running smoothly in all of them despite the changing weather conditions as winter approached. Most of them had already heard the rumors about a major dispute between James and the President. A few asked James directly about it and a few simply waited for him to say something. James talked to all of them about it. He didn't go into details. He simply explained that it was to do with lifting martial law and that there would be a decision made after Thanksgiving. All of the people in charge knew, though James didn't say it, that the decision he was talking about was if he would remain in command. James did do one thing that stunned almost everyone. He told them to discuss it among everyone down the line. James wanted them to make sure that everyone down the line knew that a change in command might be coming. He also wanted them to make it known that he expected them to be as determined and dedicated as they had been if things did suddenly change. James made it clear that he was counting of them and that the nation was counting on them to do their duty, no matter what happened or who was in command.

   James took the week of Thanksgiving off to go see his family. It was good to see and hear everyone again. James tried not to let his problems enter into the holiday celebration, but his family all seemed to know something was happening. They didn't push him about it though. Their response was to offer words of encouragement. Once again it was Pastor David who helped James to see the right path. They had talked late into the night Thanksgiving night. Actually they had watched the sunrise together. That was what helped James to know what he would have to do. The sunset came each evening and the sunrise each morning on a schedule that was known and certain. The time of each changed day by day, but every change was already known and expected. Every change was a part of a huge cycle set in motion long ago by God. James suddenly understood that his life and career had also been set in motion by that same God. Perhaps it was time for his sun to set with the Air Force. That didn't matter. Because just as the sun continued, so would he. Maybe this was the end of this day and this path for James, but if so God would provide a new day and a new path. James knew that it was indeed time for the people to decide what their future would be. It was time for them to decide who would lead them. It was time for them to decide who they would serve!

Chapter Eight - part eight

    The President seemed to shake himself back into awareness. He glanced around and then he looked back at James and spoke. This time his voice was low, but it was very hard and cold too. "Ladies and gentlemen, if you would be so kind as to excuse us for a few minutes; I believe that it would be best if Major General Cooper and I settled this issue in private." The President stood up and indicated that James should follow him out the door that only the President normally used. James walked out behind the President and followed him down the hallway. It was a short walk to the office the President used in the Pentagon. Actually they were still below the Pentagon, but it was still a part of it. Once there the President instructed the secret service to remain outside. They didn't like it, but they weren't prepared to face the wrath of a President who was clearly already furious. Once inside the office the President took his seat behind his desk. James had remained standing since the President hadn't offered him a seat yet.

   James remained there, standing at attention for a long while before the President finally spoke. "Major General James Andrew Cooper. Some people say that you saved this nation from total destruction. Some people say you will totally destroy it if you aren't stopped." He paused again for a while and then continued. "Frankly, I don't know which to believe! You have been both a blessing and a curse to me. You have indeed seemed to work miracles in some places, but you have also been at the center of all the major catastrophes I have had too. And now you do this!" The President shook his head and then motioned for James to take a seat. James took the seat, but he remained silent. It was easy to see that the President was still very upset with him. They just sat there looking at each other for a long time. James knew that he served at the pleasure of the President. He could easily be removed with just a few words. He had been willing to risk that. Now he would see if the President was willing to actually do that.

    Finally the President shook his head and began talking to James again. "I swear you are the hardest man to figure out I have ever met. The only thing that exceeds your courage is your faith. You are absolutely fearless and driven when you start at something. But this time you must let it go. I cannot keep this up. You have to understand that my decision is final! What is your problem with accepting my decision? You should understand better than anyone that when the commander makes a decision that is the end of it. As a Major General wearing only two stars you have been given command over full four star generals. You don't think that means that you have command over me do you? You serve at my pleasure! And right now I have little pleasure in that service! Can you explain to me why you simply refuse to let this go? The people are being governed fairly and things are getting better for them! Isn't that enough for you? Why do you want to risk everything you have gained? Why is this so important to you? I would like to hear you explain that to me."

   James waited for a moment to be certain the President was finished before he spoke. Taking a slow breath James started. "Sir, I will try to make you understand why this is so important. I have been working very hard to do what you have asked of me. I have regained control of all of the major cities and most of the nation. There are still isolated areas that aren't fully under control, but that is due the isolation of those places more than anything else. The people will probably always control themselves in those places. Martial law has served us well, but the time for it has past. It is time to let the people assume control again. Sir, we could hold them under martial law indefinitely as has been suggested by some, but that would be a greater risk to this nation than lifting martial law immediately will be." James took a moment and then continued.

    "Sir, martial law is meant to be used to establish control during times of war or civil unrest. It was the right decision when you imposed it upon this nation. I am certain that without it this nation would no longer exist. It has served a useful and needed purpose, but that purpose is over! We were never at war sir; though I do admit it would be hard to tell from looking at some of the results of what happened. We also no longer have the civil unrest that caused those devastating results. Yes, there is still unrest, but it is not to the level that warrants martial law being continued. This nation will never be completely free of a certain amount of civil unrest. There will always be some people who are dissatisfied with things. There will always be protests and objections to how things are done. That is what makes this nation what it is. Sir, the people must have the freedom to govern for themselves. Without that freedom what we have done means nothing. Without that freedom the America that we knew can't exist. Sir, we have to let the people try again! Maybe they will fail, but they must have the freedom to try!"

    James had leaned forward and was sitting on the edge of his chair now. The urgency and pleading in his voice had been heard. The anger had receded from the President's expression. He had leaned back in his chair as James had spoken. Now he remained like that; watching James and considering his words. Then he slowly leaned forward and put his hands together in front of him. After a minute he began to nod and then he spoke. His voice was no longer so hard or demanding. The anger seemed to have faded away. "I do hear your concerns. I understand how you feel. I do! That doesn't mean I have changed my mind. James the people did a tremendous amount of damage when they revolted and it was a revolt! If we give them control then we will lose control again. I am certain of that! I am not ready to let that happen. Perhaps in time things will become stable enough to let them have some control back, but that time is not now. I need you to let this go. This nation needs you. You have done what I don't think anyone but you could have done. I am asking you to continue doing that and let me decide when the people are ready. They did elect me twice as their President. You handle the military and let me handle the people and the politics."

     James took another deep breath and spoke again. "With respect sir, that is another reason why you must lift martial law now. Sir, the people did elect you as their President. They did it twice, but your second term will end next year. Sir, we need to have elections. That can't happen under the current martial law. There should already be candidates and politics flooding the people with choices that only the people can make. We simply cannot fail to allow the people to freely elect who they want to govern them. That was and still is the very foundation of our nation; a government of the people, elected by the people, serving for the people. Sir, I do serve at your pleasure, but as one of those elected by the people you also serve at our pleasure. I know that you understand that and so you must understand why I say we must lift martial law. We must allow the people to hold elections and make their own choices. If we don't do this, then we have already failed. We will have failed our founders, we will have failed our nation, and we will have failed the people. Sir, I can't let that happen. I won't fail them, sir."

     There was red creeping up the President's neck and anger flashed in his eyes, but he spoke calmly in reply when James was done. "Young man, you walk a very fine and very dangerous line. You seem to imply that I want to use martial law to stay in power. That is ridiculous and offensive to me. I was indeed elected by the people of this nation and I fully intend to do my duty for them every bit as much as you have proven that you will. It is that duty which makes me certain that we must maintain martial law for now. In time I want to lift it, but not until I am certain that the people are ready to handle things again. That same sense of duty is preventing me from throwing you out of my office and out of my military. But I warn you that you will obey your Commander and Chief or you will be removed. The nation may need you, but it needs order and control more. I am giving you a direct order. This is the end of this discussion about lifting martial law. It will remain until I am certain we can lift it safely. Is that understood?"

   James came to his feet and snapped to attention as he answered. "SIR, YES SIR!" Then in a lower tone of voice he added a request. "May I have permission to speak, Sir?" The President gave a nod of approval, but he spoke a warning along with that nod. "You may speak, but I warn you to be very, very careful what you say." James didn't hesitate. He spoke with a calm low voice, but he spoke very clearly. "Again with respect Sir, I mean no offense to you when I say this. I have heard and fully understand your orders. That said I feel it is my duty to once more remind you of the other purpose of martial law. It is also what is imposed upon a defeated country. Sir, this nation hasn't been defeated. The people have never been conquered. The nation and the people in it have taken a beating, but they are still standing. I will follow your orders, because it is my duty. You are my Commander and Chief. That doesn't mean I will like those orders. It also doesn't mean there won't be a time when I can no longer fulfill my duty to obey them. I am not making threats or trying to cause unnecessary problems, Sir. I am just informing you that you also walk a fine and dangerous line; the line between being the freely elected President of a free nation and becoming a dictator of that defeated nation."

    James knew full well that he might have just signed his dismissal from the Air Force. That made no difference to him. He knew in his heart that unless they lifted martial law and soon; he couldn't continue to serve. He wanted to serve! He wanted to continue his work to restore the nation as it was meant to be! But that wouldn't be possible if he was forced to remain in command of nothing less than a national military police force. James watched and waited for the explosion he expected to come. Instead the President leaned back in his chair and studied James. The red faded away as he did. It was several long minutes before he stood up and looking James in the eyes spoke to him. "You do indeed have even more courage than you seem to have faith or common sense. I have heard you. I do understand you. Now you understand me! I cannot and will not allow this country to destroy itself! It will be returned to the people, but only when they can take care of and preserve it rather than destroy it! I see now that you will do what you believe to be right no matter the cost to you or even those around you. While I must question that kind of faith I still admire it. I should probably dismiss you right here and now, but I am not going to do that... not today. I want you to give your position a lot of thought and I think a lot of prayer too. Then I want you to give me an answer immediately after the Thanksgiving holidays. I want to know that you are willing to leave this martial law issue to me and just do what you do so well. I want to know that you will give your full attention and effort to restoring this nation to a point where I can be confident enough to lift the martial law that you are so against. I want to know who you serve. Do you serve your Commander and Chief or do you serve the people? Who will you serve? If you want the chance to give me that answer after the holidays then I suggest you get out of my office right now! If you say one more word today; I will dismiss you and find someone who can follow orders! After the holidays I want you to be prepared to give me your answer. Now get out!"

Chapter Eight - part seven

   Finally the President once more stepped in to stop the meeting from turning into an all out brawl. He didn't just table the topic though. This time he let his own opinions be known. James listened as the Commander and Chief spoke out for the first time about what he believed the nation needed. The President was choosing his words carefully as he spoke. His first words had been a sharp command to get control of the room. "That will be enough!!!" Everyone had immediately looked at the source of that shouted command. Only after everyone had remained silent for a moment did he continue. "Thank you! I wasn't sure you would even hear me over all the screaming and yelling that has been going on. I have heard all I want to hear and I think all I need to hear on this matter. It is very clear to me that we have two distinct opinions about this and that neither side is going to be swayed. I have heard all of the concerns and I have heard all of the reasons from both sides. I have also spent a good deal of my own time looking into this and considering the risks of either choice." He paused for a long moment before he continued.

   "At this time I think it would be too great a risk to lift martial law. Now before you object General Cooper I want to explain my reasons. I agree that we need to get things back to normal as quickly as possible, but I fear moving too quickly could be worse than not moving at all. The people of this nation have proven themselves to be capable of irrational and violent actions when they don't get their way. In the past this country was blessed with a majority of the population who might protest long and loud, but peacefully. I fear that has been changed and perhaps for a long time to come. I do understand the need of the people to regain control of their lives, but in all honesty we barely have control of things with the full efforts of a majority of our military forces. Never before in our history have we had armed jets patrolling the sky over almost every major city for so long a time. We have had them before, but they were protecting us from possible outside threats then... not from ourselves!"

   Shaking his head he looked down and continued with only a slight pause. "General Cooper, as President I simply cannot take the risk of returning control to people who have so recently shown no control at all. This meeting was barely under control a moment ago and we are supposed to be the leaders of those people. The risk is just too great. I do however agree with you that we must be concerned with matters outside our borders as well as inside. I don't see that threat in the same way that you do though. You have done a remarkable job of restoring order to this nation. You deserve far more credit for what has been accomplished than you are willing to take. But you seem to be unable to grasp the effects of those very accomplishments on our relationships in the world. We must not appear too weak, but we also must not appear to be a strong and growing threat in a world full of threats. If the world sees us suddenly sending massive military forces outside our borders that will be seen as a threat regardless of the reason we give them. You admit that yourself. We simply cannot be threatening the very people we need if we are to restore our nation completely."

   Now the President turned his attention to others in the room; the men and women who had been the loudest opponents to lifting martial law across the nation. "This nation was indeed built upon a foundation of freedom, but that doesn't free us from the rest of the world. We must be a part of the world. We currently are doing a great deal without a lot of outside assistance, but the day will soon come when we must have outside help to continue our progress. At the moment we can barely meet the basic requirements of the people. It will soon be turning cold and it will become even more difficult to meet the demands of the people. I seriously doubt that the people could or would be able to meet those demands on their own even today. Even with strict control and sometimes rationing of basic supplies by the military we are finding it difficult to keep up with the growing demands from the people. Those demands will continue to grow and eventually we won't be able to meet them. That may push the people to revolt once more. That is what I fear! I fear that we could quickly lose control again! We must maintain our strict controls or I fear that loss of control will happen sooner rather than later."

    The President turned back to James and smiled. "What you have done is nothing short of a miracle to many, but miracle or not you still have more to do. I know that this has been a tremendous burden on you and everyone around you, but you must continue to carry this burden a little longer. Perhaps after we get past this winter we can reconsider lifting martial law. By then I hope that we will have reached an agreement with other world governments that will stabilize the world markets. That will do a great deal towards helping to stabilize everything else too. Once the markets are back up and running, so that people have a chance to invest; things will start to return to normal. Please understand that I would like nothing better than to lift martial law, but I just can't do that yet. The risk is too great that all you have accomplished could be lost. The people are satisfied right now. They may not be happy, but they are satisfied and in time they will become content. Then perhaps we can slowly begin returning a little control to them."

   That short talk had been the end of the meeting for all practical purposes. James had listened and even contributed a few things to the short discussion that followed, but his heart wasn't in it. After the meeting James spent the remainder of that day going over things with his planning staff. They weren't as disappointed or upset as he was, but they were disappointed. James had heard some things in the President's words that had troubled him greatly. He wasn't sure that the President had any faith in the people of his nation; at least not in a positive way. It almost sounded like he was more concerned with money and power than with the people and freedom. It was the way he talked about the people at the very end that kept eating away at James. He talked about them being satisfied and eventually becoming content. Satisfied and content with what? Did the President think the people could become or worse should become content with being under martial law?

    Those thoughts worked at James. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was very wrong. James didn't talk much about it with anyone except Sarah. He had to be careful what he said even with her, because she was no longer cleared. She was as concerned as he was about what he could share. James did do a lot of thinking and a lot of praying about things. No matter how he looked at things James could see nothing good coming from maintaining martial law. Granted there were risks involved, but he faced risks every single day! Those risks would still be there with or without the military and James believed they could be handled with or without the military being involved. They were often handled without the military now. James wasn't asking to remove the military completely. He just wanted to turn control over to the civilian government and move the military out of immediate direct involvement. They would be there ready if they were needed. But that decision would be left for the people to make for themselves.

   At the next meeting, held a little early due to the approaching holiday season, James first order of business after his monthly status report was to bring up lifting martial law for the third time. This time the effect was even worse. The President reacted before James had even finished making the request. Once more the President raised his voice to demand attention; only this time it was directed solely at James. There was no doubt of his anger when the President started speaking. "General Cooper! That is enough! I thought I made myself very clear about this last month! I will NOT take the risk of lifting martial law at this time! I will let you know when I am ready to consider the idea, but this isn't the time!" The President sat there glaring at James for a moment before he lowered his voice and went on. "I understand your concern, but you need to understand mine. Now please, let this drop and let's move on with the rest of the meeting."

    James stood there looking at the President for a long moment and then he spoke. "Sir, I can't do that. This is too important to be dropped. I don't believe I can move on until this issue has been resolved...Sir." The President sat there staring at James. A lot of the people in the room were staring at him. Only one man wasn't looking at either James or the President. That man was General Hodges. He alone had known that James was going to do this. He had tried to convince James not to do it, but in the end it had been James who had convinced him. James had made him see the need for this stand. Now he sat there with his head bowed; listening to what he knew might be the end of a good man's career. That wasn't his main concern though. What had his gut tied in knots was thinking about what this might mean for his nation. He had thought this young man was a hotshot hero and a fool. He had learned over the months spent working with him that James wasn't any of those things except maybe a hero. General Hodges was convinced that James had saved the nation. He was now afraid that it might still be lost, if it lost him. Major General James Andrew Cooper might be just a man, but he was no ordinary man. He was the man this nation needed right now. General Michael Patrick Hodges had never been a religious man. He had never truly wanted to believe all that nonsense. But he had started to wonder and question what he did believe while working with James. Now he made a decision of his own as he waited for the President to react. General Michael Patrick Hodges began to pray! He began to pray for his friend and for his nation. He began to pray for God's help.

Chapter Eight - part six

   It happened at one of the big monthly meeting where they spent several hours going over the current state of things in the nation; talking about the current operational issues and the future goals. James had finally brought the video screen and program that had so impressed General Kendrick into use in his briefings for the President. He had been very reluctant to let it be seen by those outside his command before this. That was mostly because he knew it could be used by others who might interfere with his operational plans.  James had finally agreed that he had to start using it if he wanted to get the President and his cabinet on board with the next step forward with his operational plans. It was clear to James and some of his staff that it was time to lift martial law. The evidence was easy to see when displayed on the screen. The nation was ready for that next big step. James had expected a lot of questions, but he hadn't expected a total revolt. But that was the only way to describe the reaction when he first suggested lifting martial law across the entire nation. He had been allowed to ease curfews and even reduce the travel restrictions across much of the nation over the last few weeks. That had helped James to reach the decision that it was time to return things to the way they had been in regards to who was running things. It was time for the military to step back and give full control to the local governments once again.

   James had been watching more than just the things happening inside the nation while he was considering this. He had been watching the world events and had seen the changes that were taking place outside the borders too; especially the changes taking place overseas. Those changes for the most part weren't good ones, at least not where the United States was concerned. James saw a need for a renewed focus of military might overseas. The world markets were still unstable and hadn't started a real recovery. The best that could be said was that things weren't completely out of control at the moment. The problem was that much of the world was now under military law, if it had any law left at all! The global stock and money markets were both still a shambles. Most small nations couldn't buy or sell in the world markets without taking a beating financially. It wasn't a lot better for the huge nations either. Money was all but worthless in most world markets. It was goods that were used as money to transfer other goods and wealth now. Unless you had something to trade that someone was willing to trade something else for you would find it all but impossible to do business in the world markets now. You could still sell your goods for cash, but the price was determined by the demand and if you didn't have fuel or food the demand was usually very low at the moment.

   The United States had agreed to begin talks again with other world powers about stabilizing the world markets again. Those other world powers weren't in favor of restoring things to the way they had been. Many if not all of them saw this as a golden opportunity, both figuratively and literally, to get a bigger piece of things for themselves. They didn't have any intention of letting the United States return to a position of power, let alone dominance in the world again. They were working very hard to get a world currency based somewhere that would take control of it away from the United States. China and Russia struggling against each other for control was the only thing that had stopped it so far. It was argued that taking a risk of letting things get out of control again would weaken the position of the United States in those talks. James was stunned by that. The chances of things getting out of control again were small. As long as the people could stay working they would have food and shelter. They wouldn't risk those so soon after having lost them. The chances were slim of any major problems in the short term. The long term was another story, but the long term goals James had worked out required restoring control to the local governments to succeed. The best thing that could happen in James opinion would be if America let the rest of the world argue while it restored the nation. Then America could go to the talks from a position of real power, rather than in the hope of getting some kind of power back.

   After several long hours of heated debates and outright screaming matches among the people there the President tabled the discussion. He told everyone to look this idea over and be prepared to state their views and defend them on the matter of lifting martial law at the next meeting. James could already tell that he would be in the extreme minority for completely lifting martial law. There were a few who wanted to try it in a few key locations first. Most of those locations would result in immediate benefits for the people supporting those particular locations. James had expected that, but what he hadn't expected was that a great majority of the people in power wanted to keep martial law in effect indefinitely. In fact many of them openly hinted that it might be best to just keep the military in power permanently! Some even stated flat out that the people were no longer able to understand how to govern themselves!

   James and his team spent a good bit of time and effort getting ready for the next meeting. James knew all too well that things were going to be stacked against him this time. The last time, even unprepared, his opponents had stomped all over the idea. He knew that during the month between the meetings people were working very hard to find ways to prove the country wasn't close to being ready for martial law to be lifted yet. Even some of the people James was working with began to question the idea. James didn't. He knew that that the people probably weren't ready to govern themselves the way they should yet. But he also knew that unless they got the chance to start... they never would be ready! James intended to do everything in his limited power to make certain they got the chance to try. He had worked too long and too hard to restore the faith of the people in their own ability to take care of their lives. James had no intention of throwing all that effort and success away by failing to show them his faith in them and in their ability to govern themselves again.

 The next meeting rolled around and once more James stood up to call for the complete removal of martial law in the nation. He made an impassioned plea for the need to let the people decide for themselves what their future should be. The results were still the same. In fact James was soon so busy defending his position and explaining why all the problems still out there didn't matter that he couldn't show them how much this meant to the people. James hadn't just spent his time working on charts and figures to prove the readiness and the need. He had been quietly talking with the people who were becoming leaders among the people. These were the ones that had helped James to see the need for the removal of martial law. They were the people who wanted to rebuild America the way it was intended to be. They were the people who had found enough faith to begin to dream about what the future might be. They were the ones that had begun to look beyond today and even tomorrow. They saw the opportunity to rebuild their nation and they recognized the dangers of doing nothing with that opportunity. They loved their nation enough to make sacrifices to save and rebuild it. 

Chapter Eight - part five

   One of the biggest changes for James was his schedule. He no longer worked day after day without a break. James might spend long hours working, but he made time almost every day for a real break; a time when he just let things go for at least an hour and spent that time relaxing and having fun. This was extra time, above and beyond his quiet time each day with God. James also started watching those around him and even the troops closer. He had nearly burnt himself out before. He didn't intend to let them do the same thing. James now understood that they had to take care of themselves before they could take care of the people around them. When he was in D.C. James made a special effort to get home at a decent hour. He still spent a lot of days and nights out in other parts of the nation, but he tried to spend at least his weekends with his family. The changes he had made in his schedule and routines had a direct effect on the schedules and routines of those working with him too. The change in attitudes was noticeable. Everyone seemed to be more relaxed, but they were if anything more driven than before as well. The results were just as noticeable. Things began to come together more smoothly all across the nation.

    It wasn't all smiles and sunshine though. The more things changed; the more problems there were to be dealt with. They weren't all just inside the country either. America was slowly getting back on its feet. The warmer more stable weather of summer allowed tremendous progress to be made in getting things operating again. There was major work of all kinds going on in the cities where the worst damage had been done. There were also lots of factories coming back online. That was partly due to the fact that many factories overseas had been virtually shut down due to the chaos in America. They had done a majority of their business with America and that business had suddenly ceased to exist. The results had been immediate for them and they were still dealing with those problems. They were working to get those foreign factories up and producing again, but that took time and products were needed immediately. James had made that a huge part of his new plan; getting as much of what was needed to rebuild things as possible from inside America. The more they could supply, the more people there were working, and thus the more demand there was for those American made goods.

   Another result of all the chaos was that a lot of people had died. They were still finding bodies and the number of dead wasn't as shocking as the number of missing. As bad as that was it did have a positive side. A large number of those people had been working jobs; jobs that were now open. If people were willing to work there were jobs available now. That hadn't been the case for a long time. Many of the jobs were tied directly to the efforts to restore order and rebuild things. That meant there would eventually be an end to a lot of those jobs, but that end was years, if not decades away. The amount of damage that had been done was almost beyond belief too. Most of the major cities had large areas inside them that looked like the aftermath of a war. Building had been burned or looted. Houses had been all but destroyed. Just the cleanup was going to keep a lot of people working for a very long time. By late summer the nation was buzzing with the sounds of building and progress. There was still a lot of discontent and a lot of problems that required constant monitoring, but things were getting a lot better.

   One of the biggest problems now was along both the southern and the northern borders. America hadn't been alone in the disaster and chaos that had been going on. Virtually all the nations of the world had been as bad or worse. It just hadn't been expected to happen inside the United States to the extremes that it had gone. But now a lot of the people in other countries were trying to get into the United States. Things were progressing much faster and much better inside the United States than they were outside. The borders had suddenly been overrun with people trying to get in. The borders were still closed under the martial law, but the people trying to get in cared nothing for laws. The result was that a lot of extra effort was being put into keeping the borders closed. Once more that was causing James a lot of trouble with the politicians. It might have helped anybody else that Texas was demanding more help so the borders could be held, but since the governor was his father-in-law it made matters worse for James.

     A lot of the politicians thought it made America look bad to turn away people seeking help, but James knew that America couldn't help the world until it was done helping itself. There were too many people inside the borders who were still in desperate need to start letting tens of thousands more flood in. That alone might restart the chaos they were finally getting under control. In truth it made little difference what was going on. If it was viewed as something bad, James was being blamed, and if it was something good then James wasn't doing enough to support it. None of that mattered to James though. That was just politics and James had work to do; he had no time for politics! He knew what he had to do and that was what he tried to do. There was no way to make everyone, especially not the politicians, or the media happy. James just concentrated on doing what would do the most good for the most people and left the rest to God. Well to God and people like General Hodges. By the end of September James was ready for the next big step. The problem was he was almost the only one who was sure that the nation was ready to take that next step. James was ready to ask the President to lift martial law!